Perfect day for snorkeling and some portrait of a Tree
This is my last entry forJude´s Life in Colour where she looks for everything in Blue. I have my other Post with lots of Blue( Blau) as well but then again, it´s surprising to find that I found more of this colour in my world. It´s amazing how it can go unnoticed , especially when we don´t took notice a particular shade like this.
First, take this shot of the native hut we found ,so pretty and framed with tropical trees. I think it can make it to my list of Trees forBecky´s challenge for TreeSquares! The trees practically grow on the limestone cliff mountains and it actually become a part of it!
Then I am sure this Peacock has it all, in German we call it Pfau, (Blauer Pfau).It´s blue fan-like crest of spatula-tipped wire-like feathers is so pretty. I always love it.
Indian Peafowl (Blau Pfau)Isn´t she Pretty enough?
Too much having fun jumping on Blue+green huge trampoline!
Blue on Blue, what a coincidence!
Summer camping in a blue tentSpot the blue bottles!
One Friday we decided to take a drive along the desert outskirts in Kuwait. There´s nothing much there to see actually. Of course there´s less to expect from an almost barren desert fields. Aside from dust, dust and arid landscape,you might end up thinking like you are in the middle of nowhere.But for a foreigner like me, the sight of a caravan of camels, Bedouin tents (nomads) and the long range of power transmission lines to name a few sounds interesting for me.Kuwait is a very small country and you can absolutely explore the whole country in one day. The best way to explore the outskirts?—of course driving along because you can´t do it by walking or cycling since it´s almost 48+ degrees outside.The roads are well paved and camera-monitored.
And this is why this roadtrip became memorable for me.
I recalled asking myself, have I ever really experienced a real foggy misty day in Kuwait?
Look at the photo below, is it foggy , misty or dusty? could you tell the difference?
Is it Foggy, misty or dusty?
Probably not, since oftentimes, I have mistaken mist as dust, because the blurred visions made me felt like it´s all the same. It is scorching hot, humid, and uncomfortable that my eyes hurt.
Anyway, one time while admiring the herd of camels in the Camel farm in Wafra, my iPhone had suddenly shuts down due to long exposures to heat and I received an impromptu message ” Wait until this iPhone cools down..”! So at least that can give you an idea what to expect if you decide to go on a roadtrip in Kuwait and make a pit stop in the desert.
Imaginary trees in the deserts of Kuwait?
Looking back,in Kuwait, these power lines symbolizes it´s power resources.With it´s high crude reserves, still, it has it´s high´s and low´s. There, water is more expensive than oil.Due to heavy use of air conditioning, reliance on desalination for water, and highly subsidized electricity prices, Kuwait’s per capita electricity consumption is among the highest in the world, at roughly 14 000 kWh.We lived with air conditioning almost all throughout the year and we never paid any electrical bills and you pay peanuts for petrol.
The beauty of sunsets seen from a power lines
On a clear day, it means no duststorms, one can appreciate the simple beauty of the desert with these power transmissions lines as background. Time flies fast as we venture on appreciating the local scenery.Further on we made many quick stop- overs to admire the dunes, looking for wild desert flowers and breathing fresch air in the secluded beaches.I totally enjoyed killing time there, just watching the desert sun sets and paint the skies with beautiful palletes of purple, and burnt oranges.
A quick pit stop in the beach nearbyBakala, the 711 of the desert
Along the way, a small roadside “Bakala” ( or convenient store) , or the 711 of the desert can be seen just like the photo above. They sell almost everything, from cigarettes, drinks, ice cream, toys, I don´t know exactly what are those sacks, but for sure they have something to quench your thirst. Sometimes they sell some vegetables and fruits coming from the nearby farms.
You´ll feel lucky to see some ” infamous war- torn ” walls like this. There hasn´t been Graffiti or public art in Kuwait, only barren walls, a reminder of its painful past.
Abandoned walls
I can´t say that´s it´s a county side thing, but in the outskirts, these sand dunes are quite pretty sight. People loved to drive around here and just have a breather, camping and BBQ; and of course, enjoy the beach.There are no rivers to amuse us, only rough beaches and coastlines.
The local dunes in Kuwait
Of course, our road trip won´t be complete without a sight of the local desert trees . They looked fragile, and yet very resilient which I really find so unique.Sometimes I thought that this landscape made me think if I am in the middle of nowhere but then a sight of a single tree, swayed by the shy desert winds can be reassuring.
In the middle of nowhere…
If allowed, one can further explore the roads leading to Kuwait´s neighbouring countries like Saudi Arabia and Iraq as long as you obtained entry permits.Crossing these borders illegally is really a big hassle and without Arabic, you might really get in trouble.The road distance from Kuwait to Saudi Arabia is approximately 796 kms. Saudi is located on the south side of Kuwait so if you travel at the consistent speed of 50 KM per hour you can reach Saudi Arabia in 15 hours and 46 minutes.
I ´ve definitely not seen a mist in the roads of Kuwait but yes, I wished I have gathered a pocket of sand in a bottle, because somehow, I´ve been there.
The moment they fall to the ground and uprooted, does it mean they´re totally done with life? Is there actually beauty in a dead tree?
Fallen, but not forgotten #treeSquares
While everyone else is crazy squaring and displaying their perfect, beautiful, green and colorful trees, I tought I might share that it´s still wonderful to ponder on the wonders of a dead tree.
It´s ain´t totally dead yet– dead trees may not be the most attractive part of a forest, they are essential to its health. As dead wood is decomposed (by fungi, bacteria and other life forms) it aids new plant growth by returning important nutrients to the ecosystem… or simply a wildlife nesting site.
“Trees exhale for us so that we can inhale them to stay alive. Can we ever forget that? let us love trees with every breath we take until we perish…”
Have you ever tasted a Dragon fruit ? In Asia, they called it Pitaya.First time that I ever tasted Dragon fruit was when I was still living in Kuwait.I never knew that It has a preety flower as well.I kinda loved it´s taste but here in Germany, it´s really expensive and it doesn´t taste as good as the ones I´ve had before.Good thing is, in the Philippines, dragon fruit farm is booming!
And since we´re talking not only about the fruit itself, let me share something unique about it´s flower, the one thing that is unique about Hylocereus Flower ;
Dragon fruit flower only blooms at night and wilts during the day. That´s why it was named “Night blooming Cereus ” or “Belle of the Night” , “Queen of the Night” and “Moonflower”. The flower itself is unique—so is the fruit. Meaning Dragon fruit cactus is a night blooming plant and the flowers last only one evening.If you are thinking of having a Dragon plant yourself, remember that most dragon fruit plants won’t bloom for at least a couple of years.
Pitaya or Dragon Fruit
Dragon Fruit, also known as Pitaya or Pitahaya. I was always been curious of it´s appearance. It´s skin has so many layers but they are soft compared to our other exotic native tropical fruits like Jackfruit and Durian.This fruit is most commonly grown in Central America, South America and Asia. In Philippines, it thrives so well, probably because of its tropical climate. It grows on cacti, and could reach up to 6 meters high! The peel is pink or yellow with green leaves. Inside is white or purple pulp with edible black seeds. The flesh of the dragon fruit is white with tiny black edible seeds, with a texture much like that of a kiwi—soft, juicy, and a bit grainy, with a sweet-citrusy taste.
Tropically unique right?
But have you ever wondered why it´s called Dragon Fruit?
” According to legend, mythical creatures that breathe fire have created this fruit. During the battle of the dragon, the last thing that came out from his brething fire mouth was the dragon fruit. When the dragon was killed, the fruit was gathered and presented to the Emperor as a symbol of victory.“
Dragon fruit Farm in Tagaytay City, PhilippinesPretty lovely flowers “Belle of the Night”
Dragon Fruit is also called thang loy in Thailand, pitahayah in Israel, and Paniniokapunahou in Hawaii:
